PMP Certification Requirements and Eligibility

Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification is one of the most popular Project Management certifications worldwide. As popular as it is, it is also tough, and candidates often are unaware of the PMP Certification Requirements and eligibility criteria.

The PMP Certification eligibility is majorly dependent on educational qualifications and experience. Candidates need at least a secondary degree to qualify for the PMP exam. But, there’s a long road from becoming eligible for the exam, applying, and acing it. According to Project Management Institute (PMI), there are more than 1.4 million individuals PMP Certifications holders in the world. This shows the extent of overall competition in this sector.

Thus, candidates must dedicate a lot of time and effort to the PMP exam prep. The PMP eligibility criteria go beyond theoretical knowledge; practical projects are also required. So, read this blog to understand the PMP Certification Requirements and Eligibility Criteria for the PMP Exam.

Table of Contents

1) What is PMP Certification?

2) What are the PMP Certification Requirements?

3) What can you do if you don’t meet PMP Certification Requirements?

4) How can you gather the required experience for PMP Certification?

5) Application process for the PMP Certification Exam

6) Do you need a PMI membership to get PMP® Certified?

7) What is the cost of PMP® Certification?

8) Conclusion

What is PMP Certification?

The Project Management Professional or PMP Certification is a well-known global credential for professional Project Managers. It is only given to those candidates who meet the eligibility criteria and finally deliver the PMP Certification test successfully.

The PMP Certification is awarded by the Project Management Institute (PMI), the premier body of Project Management. It establishes all the standard practices for Project Management professionals. PMI awards various certifications to help organisations worldwide find the best talent. However, candidates must fulfil strict PMP Certification Requirements to ensure only the best talent gets through. There are various reasons for these PMP requirements, including the fact that Project Management is a serious topic and that project-based roles require theoretical and practical knowledge. A candidate won't be able to do well at their job without a solid understanding of the essential Project Management techniques and practices.

Moreover, adding a PMP Certification to your resume will instantly make it more appealing to the employer. It is common knowledge that candidates undergo rigorous training and study to meet the PMP requirements and pass the exam.



 

What are the PMP Certification Requirements?

Successfully attaining the PMP Certification may seem challenging, but it is a gratifying step in your career as a Project Manager. The certification can also help you increase your PMP salary.

While going through the studies for the PMP certification not only you vasten your knowledge of the almost refined parts of Project Management but also you gain this knowledge which you didn’t have earlier.

The heavy demand for the PMP Certification contributes to the effort which one must create to obtain the certification. In order to become a PMP, one has to possess in-depth understanding of the principles on Project Management and the practical application of the principles.

The exam is a globally recognized credential that may give someone the impression of being rather stressful.To make the process easy for you, we bring here all the relevant information regarding the subject and ways through which you can get prepared for fulfilling the PMP Certification Requirements. Essentially, it reflects the eligibility criteria for the PMP Exam. let's have a quick look:
 

The following are the eligibility criteria for the PMP Exam:

1) It would help if you had at least a secondary degree

2) You need a minimum of 7500 hours of experience in leading or directing projects OR 60 months of experience in Project Management

3) You need at least 35 hours of Project Management education

If you have a four-year Bachelor’s degree, you need the following:

1) A minimum of 4500 hours of supervision of or directing projects activity can become another entry ticket into 1) your successful career in Project Management OR you have at least 3 years of experience in Project Management.

2) You need at least 35 hours of Project Management education

If you have a Master’s degree, you need the following:

1) 24 months of experience in Project Management

2) You need at least 35 hours of Project Management education

Secure your future in Project Management! Check out our Project Management courses and register today!

What can you do if you don’t meet PMP Certification Requirements?

When you discover you are not able to show up for the exam with the right standards, there are several ways you can work towards the situation. Initially, try and undertake the additional education that is authorised; it can be a classroom or online classes. This can help you upgrade your qualifications and meet the four-year degree prerequisite.

Secondly, if you lack sufficient Project Management experience, strive to take on leadership roles within your organisation and actively participate in various projects. This hands-on approach will let you accumulate the necessary Project Management experience hours.

Thirdly, if you do not meet the requirement of Project Management education contact hours, consider joining a PMI-approved Project Management Professional preparation course. Such courses typically offer the required 35 contact hours of education, covering essential Project Management aspects. Alternatively, you can obtain a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) certification, which is equivalent to the required 35 PMP qualifying hours of education.

Lastly, if you lack project managing or leading hours, actively seek out professional development opportunities, attend workshops, and involve yourself in significant projects. These experiences will help you gain the necessary Project Management hours required for PMP certification eligibility. 

How can you gather the required experience for PMP Certification?

To meet the PMP Certification Requirements, candidates must accumulate between 4,500 to 7,500 hours of Project Management experience, depending on their educational background. Here are some strategies to gain the necessary experience:

1) Full-time Project Management roles: If you're already working as a Project Manager or in a similar capacity, accumulating the required hours becomes simple. Simply continue your current role, and over time, you'll accrue the necessary experience hours.

2) Part-time or Non-Project Management roles: For those not in full-time Project Management positions, increasing Project Management responsibilities may be challenging. However, there are strategies to expedite this process:

a) Role change: Articulate future professional targets to your supervisor and ensure that you get consideration for supervisory positions including Project Management.

b) Company change: If your present employer is not empowering you the way you want, then you may consider job options from those companies where you can do more Project Management tasks and works.

c) Volunteering: Identify the local PMI chapter and other charity organisations and join as a volunteer. Volunteering allows you to gain valuable Project Management experience while also providing networking opportunities and additional benefits.

Explore the world’s most popular project management course – register in PMP Training!

Application process for the PMP Certification Exam

The PMI administers and enforces the PMP Exam, and it also serves as the granting authority. Exam registration with PMP begins by creating an account online at their official web portal. Once the registration is completed, you must log in and then complete an online form, providing a detailed overview and attaching relevant documents.

If your application stands the scrutiny and is approved to take the test, you will be able to select the date. In the first step, set aside some time to evaluate the PMP Exam Content Outline to make sure that you know exactly the required skills to pass the test.

Here’s how you can apply for the PMP Certification exam, step-by-step:

1) Registration:

a) You will start by registering to become a member of PMI. Click here to create PMP Account!

b) You’ll be paying £123 to become a PMP member, but you will also save money on the exam fee.

c) As a PMP member, you will have to pay £356 as your exam fee, while the standard price for a non-member is £488.

2) Satisfy the eligibility criterion:

a) Next, you’ll need to satisfy the required minimum 35 hours of education criteria.

b) The course comes with a comprehensive curriculum prepared by industry experts to help you prepare for the exam and to meet the PMP eligibility.

c) Once you finish the course, you will receive a certification stating that you have completed the 35 hours needed as part of PMP requirements.

3) Application submission and approval:

Once you start preparing for the exam, you can submit your PMP application online

a) PMI takes around five days to review your application and respond

b) As soon as your application is approved, you’ll receive the link to pay for the exam and schedule it

3) Exam scheduling:

As the next step, you’ll need to schedule your exam with Pearson VUE. You can decide on your preferred exam centre in this step as well.

a) After the approval of your application, you generally get a year to take your exam

b) You are allowed to take the exam up to three times during this year

4) Take the Exam:

In the final step, you must take the exam and pass it to earn the PMP certification.

a) The PMP exam consists of 180 questions, and you have 230 minutes to finish it

b) The PMP exam questions come from three domains - Process, People, and Business Environment

Start your preparation from here – sign up for the Introduction to Project Management course!  

Do you need a PMI membership to get PMP®  Certified?

No. You don’t need to be a PMI member to apply for the PMP Certification exam. Although, if you wish to become one, all you need to do is pay £104.70 annually. Aside from this, becoming a PMI member has its own different set of benefits:

1) Cheaper examination fee: First and probably the most important is that you will get a significant discount on your PMP exam fee.

2) Free access to PMBOK guide: As a PMI member, you get a free copy of the PMBOK guide. It is an essential PMP study material to prepare for your PMP exam.

3) Access to workshops: PMI has local chapters everywhere around the world. As a PMI member, you will get free access to these chapters and be eligible to attend their PMP exam workshops.

What is the cost of PMP® Certification?

We've already talked about the application fee for the PMP exam. But, some additional costs come with preparing for the exam. Let's take a look at them:

35 hours of Project Management training

As part of the PMP Certification Requirement, you are required to study at least 35 hours of Project Management. This can be quickly done by registering for a Project Management training course. The cost of the training will depend on whether you choose to go for classroom or online training. This cost also differs according to your location. The cost of the training will range from £440 to £1800

PMP Exam fee

If you possess a membership of PMP, you'll also spend less on your exam fees.

Interestingly, the examination fee of the PMI member is £328.70 lower than the amount of the non-PMI member which is respectively £450.44. The fee for re-examination is different for both members (of PMI) and non-members and also vary. An individual who is not a member of a union will have to pay £223.19 while another one who is a union member will have to pay £304.35.

However, the amount you would spend obtaining a PMP Certificate depends on where you choose to study it from. In case you take an online class, you will be paying approximately £620. The fees for an offline classroom course will incur about £1500 including the exam fee for PMP.

Conclusion

We hope this blog is highly informative so you can now have the idea of the PMP Certification Requirements and how you can fulfil all the requirements to gain the certification. By understanding the importance of this approach, you can focus on the preparation of your PMP Certification Exam. Make sure you start by gaining the required educational qualifications and work experience.

Start your preparation from here – sign up for the Introduction to Project Management Course